As part of its apparent quest to bring back every 8-bit and 16-bit home computer, such as THE A1200 and THE Spectrum, on which we have reported previously, Retro Games Ltd. will be releasing THE 800XL, a new device based on Atari’s 8-bit 800XL home computer.
THE 800XL will be a “a faithful recreation” of Atari’s 8-bit home computer, that has been designed by Retro Games Ltd., and which will be manufactured and distributed by Plaion Replai.
THE 800XL will retain the look and feel of the original computer, including a full-sized mechanical keyboard, built-in Atari BASIC, and a working cartridge slot, while adding features for modern displays and gaming setups, such as HDMI connectivity and the ability to load software from US lash drives. It will also come with 25 built-in games, which will be…
1. Airball
2. Asteroids
3. Basketball
4. BattleZone
5. Berzerk
6. Boulder Dash
7. Bristles
8. Capture the Flag
9. Centipede
10. Crystal Castles
11. Elektraglide
12. Encounter
13. Flip and Flop
14. Henry’s House
15. Hover Bovver
16. Lee
17. M.U.L.E.
18. Millipede
19. Miner 2049er
20. Missile Command
21. O’Riley’s Mine
22. The Seven Cities of Gold
23. Star Raiders II
24. Wavy Navy
25. Yoomp!
“The 800XL represents an important moment in Atari’s history, when home computers were becoming a gateway to gaming, programming and creativity,” said Matt Burnett, VP of Strategic Operations at Atari. “It gave an entire generation the opportunity to discover what they could do with a computer, while offering an incredible catalog of games and software. That combination is what makes the 800XL such an important part of Atari’s legacy, and working with Retro Games Ltd. and Plaion we are excited to bring back this modernized version.”
The 64K Atari 800XL was first released in 1983, as a successor to the previously released 8K Atari 800 and 64K Atari 1200 XL models.
“The 800XL was one of those rare machines that really showed what an 8-bit home computer could be capable of,” said Stuart Chiplin, COO at Retro Games Ltd. “When recreating it, we wanted to capture not just how the original looked, but what made it such a compelling computer – the freedom it gave people to play, program and create. A lot of work has gone into making THE 800XL feel authentic while bringing the experience up to date for today’s players.”
Also included is is THECXSTICK, Retro Games’ modern recreation of Atari‘s classic joystick, which has been designed to capture the feel of the original while adding extra versatility. The joystick features the classic fire button and seven integrated action and function buttons discreetly built into its classic design. The package will also include a USB-A to USB-C power cable, HDMI cable and a quick guide.
“There is something gloriously unapologetic about the Atari 800XL,” said Namer Merli, Senior Product Marketing Manager, PLAION REPLAI. Today our technology comes in black, white, silver and glass. “In 1983, apparently the future came in brown, cream and burnt orange … and it looked fantastic. But what I love most about THE 800XL is that it captures an entire way of experiencing technology. Real keys, real cartridges, a proper joystick, BASIC programming, games, secrets and discovery.”
THE 800 XL is available for pre-order now from retailers worldwide, as well as directly from Plaion Replai, priced at USD $219.99, GBP £199.99, EUR €219.99 and AUD $349.99, with shipping beginning on 23 April 2027.
